Monday, January 23, 2012

Does God Really Hate Divorce?

Some will think this post a reaction to the pain our family is undergoing
due to my daughters present divorce process initiated by her
husband who has chosen apostasy to his covenant oath to his wife and children
sworn before Christ in the presence of many witnesses.


However, it is honestly motivated by a recent SBC blog posted on the 20th.
The author does a thorough job pointing out problematic KJV translation of
Malachi 2:16 regarding the issue of divorce.

Does God personally hate divorce?
Does God hate the man is who guilty of divorcing his wife?
Does the man hate his wife when divorcing her?

In other words,who in fact is the subject of hate that Malachi speaks of?

Many credible translations actually reveal it is not God who hates divorce
in this passage, rather, the man who wrongfully divorces his wife is actually
guilty of hate.

Read these translations for motivation to employ Berean Nobility to pursue
your own scholarly exegesis.

I personally believe the Holman translation to be one of the best ever produced.
rgh

Holman Translation:
"If he hates and divorces his wife,” says the LORD God of Israel, “he covers his
garment with injustice,” says the LORD of Hosts. Therefore, watch yourselves
carefully, and do not act treacherously."


New International Version:
The man who hates and divorces his wife,” says the LORD, the God of Israel,
“does violence to the one he should protect,” says the LORD Almighty. So be
 on your guard, and do not be unfaithful."

Contemporary English Version:
"The LORD God All-Powerful of Israel hates anyone who is cruel enough
 to divorce his wife.  So take care never to be unfaithful!"

Wycliff Translation:
"When thou hatest her, leave thou her (not), saith the Lord God of Israel.
Forsooth wickedness shall cover the cloth of him, saith the Lord of hosts;
keep ye your spirit, and do not ye despise. (even if thou hatest her, leave
thou her not, saith the Lord God of Israel. Yea, let his cloak cover his
wickedness, saith the Lord of hosts; so keep ye watch over your spirit,
and do not ye despise her.)"